Breaking Point.html

It has been a few weeks since your watch at (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana]'s Harrowing. Currently standing at your usual post in the library of the Circle, surrounded by dusty books and mages absorbed in their studies, your thoughts wander to that day in the great stone hall of the Harrowing Chamber. You watched (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] enter the Fade, her eyes glowing blue with lyrium and magic. When she collapsed on the floor, the first part of the ritual was complete. You stood next to her for what felt like hours, sword raised over her motionless body, your hands shaking, waiting for any sign of demonic posession, praying to the Maker that she may succeed. And then it was over. She finally opened her eyes again and you let out a deep breath, a wave of relief washing over you. She passed the trial - her Harrowing was complete. But since then, everything has changed. [[Continue->Flashback2]]

(css: "font-size: 200%;")[- Breaking Point -] Hello! Before you start, please answer one question: Is the mage Cullen has a crush on [[human]] (last name Amell) or [[elven]] (last name Surana)? [[Surprise me! / I don't care]]

Taking your place in the back of the formation, you start heading upward, trying to remember the different kinds of demons and the most suitable strategies against them, all while your heart is hammering in your chest. [[Continue->bodies]]

You direct your attention back to the library - Noone else seems to have noticed the noise yet. Just as your thoughts wander back to (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana], there is a loud crack and the door swings open. Emerging from it is a creature - its body hunched over, completely black, floating a few inches above the ground. A shade - but not on the pages of one of your books about lesser demons. It is inside this tower, right in front of you. The library is filled with screams as the mages notice the demon and more noise is coming from upstairs, louder this time. You can feel your fight or flight instinct kick in as your muscles tense up and your pulse quickens. You manage to wriggle your sword free from its sheath just a moment before the demon attacks. Caught off guard, you barely manage to graze the demon with your attack. Then there is a bright light hissing past your head, striking the demon in its torso. It trembles for a moment before it vanishes into the ground, leaving only black wafts of mist behind. You turn around right as heavy footsteps approach - a group of templars, lead by one of the Knight-Lieutenants. Thank the Maker! Whatever is going on, at least there is back up. [[Continue->Ignore2]]

One hand on the hilt of your sword, you hesitantly open the door. Sprawled on the steps is an elven apprentice, his robes torn, blood pooling on the stone beneath him. His head is dangling from one of the lower steps, almost touching your feet, making you recoil a bit. Looming above him, a few steps higher, is a creature - its body hunched over, completely black, floating a few inches above the ground. A shade - but not on the pages of one of your books about lesser demons. It is inside this tower, right in front of you. You hear another scream behind you as others are now noticing the demon. Then there is more noise coming from upstairs, louder this time. You can feel your fight or flight instinct kick in as your muscles tense up and your pulse quickens. Overcoming the initial shock, you draw your sword and lunge forward. Being at a disadvantage on the lower steps, you get pushed back by its attacks, causing panicked screams behind you and some of the older mages ordering everyone to get back. Then there is a bright light hissing past your head, striking the demon in its torso. It trembles for a moment before it vanishes into the ground, leaving only black wafts of mist behind. You turn around right as heavy footsteps approach - a group of templars, lead by one of the Knight-Lieutenants. Thank the Maker! Whatever is going on, at least there is back up. [[Continue->Investigate2]]

As soon as you open the door, you have to cover your eyes to protect them from the white light surrounding you. Everywhere you turn, all you see is a wall of light, its brightness sending a sharp pain through your head. There are groans of pain as the rest of your group tries to protect themselves from the light. From somewhere deeper in the room, you hear a voice: "Don't bother with them, they won't go anywhere. Let *her* take care of them!" It takes you a moment to recognize that voice, this condescending tone - it's Uldred, one of the mages that returned from Ostagar. Could he be the one who is behind all of this? There is a loud noise as the door to the Harrowing Chamber is slammed shut. Then you lose consciousness. [[Continue->black 1]]

The bright light is gone and suddenly you are surrounded by darkness. You don't see or hear anything. You are not even sure if your feet are still touching the ground or if the darkness swallowed you. All you hear is your own breath, quick from exertion and panic. [[Continue->voice]]

When you open your eyes, you are standing in the great halls of the library again, at your usual post. You feel a bit tired, must be nearing the end of your shift. Other than that, everything seems to be normal. There is a small tug on your ellbow and as you turn around, there is (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] standing next to you, smiling brightly. "Cullen! So great to see you again, I was looking for you. Where have you been all day?" Your heart flutters at the sight of her joyful face, any trace of fatigue instantly dispelled. [[Look at her]] [[Answer her]] [[Try to remember how you got here]]

You don't know how long you've been praying. Approaching footsteps interrupt your words - not from the Harrowing chamber but coming from the lower part of the tower. You listen closely, trying to make out voices. Is someone still alive? Are the templars sending backup? Or are these just the mages coming back to finish what the demon started? You hear them talking and then the door opens. Your prison of white light fades away just enough to make out several shapes, moving towards you. They are not mages - finally, someone is coming to free you. Finally, this horror will end. [[The End->Last slide good]]

You let go off your defenses and let your aching body relax. Finally, this will all be over. No more fighting, only peace. There is one last thud as your body hits the floor next to the others. You close your eyes and let your mind fade away into nothingness. The last thing you hear is a vile laughter. [[The End->Last slide death]]

You let yourself get carried away in this warm fuzzy feeling. So close to *her*. In the end, you don‘t feel anything anymore, slipping away into nothingness. [[The End->Last slide illusion]]

Still ruminating over what might be or might have been, you don't pay much attention to your surroundings in the library. Suddenly, there is a scream coming from the upper floor, followed by a loud bang at the door leading upstairs, a few feet away from you. Startled, you hesitate for a moment, wondering what to do next. [[Ignore it - surely it's nothing to worry about->Ignore]] [[Investigate - better make sure everything is alright->Investigate]] [[Look for help - might be better to have some backup->Get help]]

Thank you! Good to know. [[Start->Flashback]] (set: $race to 0)

Thank you! Good to know. [[Start->Flashback]] (set: $race to 1)

Looking at her, you think about what to say: [[I was standing right here - we must have missed each other.->standing here]] [[It is so good to see you, too.->good to see you]] [[Why have you been looking for me?->why]]

You dreamed about this moment so many times - seeing her again, talking to her, being with her... But something is wrong - you are in the Circle but she shouldn't be. No, (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] left. And you shouldn't be here either - at least not in this room. Wasn't there something else you should be doing right now? You close your eyes, trying to focus on what happened before. [[Continue->black 2]]

You love to see her smile - and right now, this smile is only meant for you. Maker's breath, she is beautiful. [[Answer her]] [[Try to remember how you got here]]

When you open your eyes again, you are back in the darkness. Shame and panic start rushing through your body - Who put these images in your head? The voice returns, closely circling around you like a predator toying with their prey. "Oh, you want *her* – how interesting. I can see why, she does look lovely in those robes. But what's wrong? Isn't she beautiful enough? Didn't she smile warmly enough? Do you want *more*, Cullen?" You try to struggle against the darkness and that voice but you can't move, you can't make it stop. "Well, you can have *more*." she whispers. "You can do with her whatever you like. Whatever your little heart desires. Whatever your brain can think of. *I* can give it to you." Maker, please help me - you pray but there is no sound coming from your mouth. "The Chantry makes it way too easy for me" she laughs. "All this shame, all those repressed feelings, I *feast* on them!" [[Continue->illusion better]]

When you open your eyes again, soft sunlight is shining through the window next to you. You are in the bedroom of your childhood home, back in Honnleath. Lying in your bed, you feel someone sleeping next to you. (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] - her back turned to you, the soft fabric of her nightgown slowly moving with every breath. You watch her lovingly. You are finally together, away from the Circle and its rules. There is nothing that could harm you here. [[Embrace her]] [[Try to remember when you left the Circle]]

Cuddling up next to her, you put your arms around her, feeling her soft skin against yours. She stirrs and slowly opens her eyes, yawning. "You said you would wake me early today" (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] mumbles, still half asleep. Then she nestles herself closer to you: "I'm so glad we left the Circle together. This is so much better. Nothing can get to us here." [[Kiss her neck->Kiss her neck]] [[Something is wrong... when did you leave the Circle together?->leave]]

How long have you been here with her? You want nothing more than to stay in this bed, to stay with her. But you know this isn't real. (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] is not with you, she is gone. This future is not possible any more, if it ever was possible. And you are not far from danger, you are in the middle of it. You close your eyes again, trying to rid yourself of this illusion. [[Continue->black 3]]

Darkness surrounds you again. Then a light appears in front of you. (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] is standing there in the distance, her naked body illuminated. She is smiling, but differently this time. "Don‘t you want to be with me, Cullen?" (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] says suggestively, slowly stepping towards you. You try to struggle against the darkness again, but still in vain. When she is standing right in front you, she raises her hand, caressing your cheek, gliding across your shoulder - you are sure that you are wearing armour but you still feel her touch right on your skin. She leans forward, her hair tickling your chin. She even smells like you imagined it. But she isn't real - none of this is real. [[Continue->demon]]

The darkness is gone and you are back in the tower, bright light surrounding you. You fall to your knees, every remnant of strength extinguished. Kneeling on the ground, you can make out the shapes of the other templars on the ground - their faces are frozen in horror, blood running from their eyes and nose. You have no idea how much time has passed. You are the only one left. And you have no idea if you can take this any longer. [[Give up->ending death]] [[Keep trying to resist]]

Your hand wanders to the necklace underneath your armor, to the coin you've been carrying for all of those years. A parting gift from your brother when you left for your templar training. You grip the coin, thinking about the reasons you joined the templars in the first place. Protecting the people from the dangers of magic. Then you remember Uldred's voice when he left you here with that demon. Hot anger is rising through your chest. This has to end, even if it is the last thing you will do. Looking at the bodies in the ground you grip the coin even harder, your knuckles turning white. If it wasn't for those mages, they would all still be alive. There are faint sounds coming from the Harrowing chamber above you. They must be up there. You start praying to the Maker, asking to free you from this magical prison. [[Continue->good ending]]

You follow her and enter the stuffy storage room behind her, closing the door. (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] turns around to you and suddenly the room feels very small. You barely fit in here with her, only a few inches between you. "Thank you so much for your help!" she smiles a bit bashfully. "I actually wanted to talk to you about something else... Cullen, I..." She is looking up to you, her cheeks flushed red. She hesitates for a moment, then takes your hand, stepping even closer to you. This is it. The moment you have been waiting for. She is right there, holding your hand. [[Kiss her]] [[Caress her face]] [[No, this is wrong->black 2]]

You lean forward and her lips meet yours in the middle. All you can feel is her hand in your hand and her lips on your lips. Your head starts to feel dizzy with bliss. You want to stay here forever, this moment can't end. [[Give in->ending illusion]]

You raise your hand, carefully caressing her cheek. Her face almost seems to draw you in, giving you tunnel vision. The room around you starts to fade away, until there is only you and her, so close together. Your head starts to feel dizzy with bliss. You want to stay here forever, this moment can't end. [[Give in->ending illusion]]

Thank you so much for playing! You survived and resisted the demon (one of three endings). If you want to know how this story continues, here is the scene from the game following up the events of this story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yiLTbZOcsU If you have any feedback, please leave a comment or contact me on Twitter: @XPaele [[Start again from the beginning->Hello]] [[Start again from the first illusion->Illusion friendly]]

You turn away from the door, frantically looking around the library for one of your colleagues. Noone else has noticed the noise yet and there is no other templar in the library. Looking for someone would mean leaving your post. You are in this alone. [[Continue->Investigate]]

You move even closer to her, gently kissing her neck. (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] starts giggling, small goosebumps appearing on her arms from the touch of your lips. "I have always loved you, you know? Since the moment we met." she whispers. "And we will always be together. Just us. Far away from everything else." You can't remember ever being this happy before. A warm fuzzy cloud fills your head. How could you ever leave this place? Leave her? Impossible. This is perfect. This is all you ever wanted. The room around you starts to fade away. [[Stay here forever->ending illusion]]

This is everything you wished for. But something feels wrong. There is something dangerous lurking nearby, despite all of this. You haven't been to Honnleath in a long time and she left the Circle. But not with you. She is gone. You close your eyes, trying to rid yourself of this illusion. [[Continue->black 3]]

Thank you so much for playing! The demon won, you did not survive (one of three endings). If you have any feedback, please leave a comment or contact me on Twitter: @XPaele [[Start again from the beginning->Hello]] [[Start again from the first illusion->Illusion friendly]]

Thank you so much for playing! The demon won, you are trapped in its illusion and won't survive (one of three endings). If you have any feedback, please leave a comment or contact me on Twitter: @XPaele [[Start again from the beginning->Hello]] [[Start again from the first illusion->Illusion friendly]]

Alright! [[Start->Flashback]] (set: $race to (random: 0, 1))

Before you start, please answer the following question: (put: (prompt: "What is the name of the female mage Cullen has a crush on?", "") into $name) [[Continue]] other idea: choosing name and pronouns (he/him, she/her, they/them) to make it more inclusive

$name

"You could think this tower was a giant labyrinth" she says, rolling her eyes. "I can't count the times I got lost in these endless corridors. Do you remember that one time when you asked me for the way to the Grand Enchanter's office? If the direction I gave you was actually the right way, it was pure luck." You chuckle, thinking about the many times you have interrupted a class by accidentely opening the wrong door. [[Continue->storage]]

"I really enjoy talking to you, Cullen" she says. "The other templars can be so cold sometimes. But you are very approachable. I never feel bad for distracting you from your job - just like right now, I guess." she laughs. You chuckle, thinking about all the times one of the older templars barked at you for asking them something or not getting something right on your first try. [[Continue->storage]]

You talk to her for what feels like hours, forgetting everything that is happening around you, enjoying every second of it. There is only you and her - Everything feels easy as if you've known her your entire life. "I could really use your help if that's okay" (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] asks after a while. "Wynne wants me to sort some scrolls in one of the storage rooms and some of these shelves are really high up. Only if it isn't too much trouble for you, of course." [[Agree to help her->Follow her]] [[Try to remember the important task you still have to do->Try to remember how you got here]]

"Oh, that can wait" she says, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "I always wonder what you are thinking about during your watch - isn't it extremely boring to just stand here? It's not like anything actually dangerous is going to happen. But everytime I look at you, you seem so alert - like this is the most important job in the world." You chuckle, thinking about the many times you had to stifle a yawn during your watch. [[Continue->storage]]

Your eyes unintentionally move to the desk (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] used to sit at. The last time you saw her was the day after the Harrowing, when you mustered all of your courage and finally approached her, trying to remember all the things you prepared to say to her... But your mind went blank, leaving only a mess of mumbled words. It was a nightmare. You sigh, trying to ease the discomfort of reliving that moment. Even though you cherish every memory of her, you would gladly forget this one. There are still so many things left unsaid. How often you think about her. What she means to you. How you really feel. But now she is gone. Recruited by the Grey Wardens, leaving the Circle to fight against the darkspawn at Ostagar. You wasted the last chance to talk to her and now you may never see her again. [[Continue->Flashback3]]

At first you tried to distract yourself by working extra hours or spending more time on combat training, trying to get over this pointless obsession by exhausting yourself, trying not to think about her every day. In the past few days you have given up on that. News of Ostagar have reached the tower: The great battle is lost, King Cailan is dead and with him the Grey Wardens. The few mages who have returned from the battle reported almost no survivors. A small part of you still hopes (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] is one of them. Maybe she wasn't even at Ostagar. Or maybe she survived, against all odds. At least that's what you pray for. [[Continue->Trouble]]

After listening to your report, the Lieutenant gathers all of the templars present and starts assigning orders - some of them are to guard the mages on the lower level while the majority is sent upwards to investigate the source of the demon. "Cullen, you go up with them!" she shouts and your heart stops for a moment. You see your own tension reflected on some of the familiar faces in the group - young recruits you have shared countless meals and training exercises with. "Maker be with us" whispers one of them as they approach the door leading upstairs. You look past them - Sprawled on the steps is an elven apprentice, his robes torn, blood pooling on the stone beneath him. His head is dangling from one of the lower steps, almost touching their feet. You pray that the Maker is listening. [[Continue->Way up to the tower]]

After listening to your report, the Lieutenant gathers all of the templars present and starts assigning orders - some of them are to guard the mages on the lower level while the majority is sent upwards to investigate the source of the demon. "Cullen, you go up with them!" - she shouts and your heart stops for a moment. You see your own tension reflected on some of the familiar faces in the group - young recruits you have shared countless meals and training exercises with. "Maker be with us" whispers one of them as the ten of you head towards the stairs. [[Continue->Way up to the tower]]

At the top of the stairs, you quickly find the explanation for the noises: shelves are pushed over and the floor is littered with books and broken vials. There are several more bodies, most of them mages, torn like the elf you found. You have never seen so many corpses before and your stomach revolts at the smell and sight of so much blood. One of the bodies looks different, though. The templar at the head of your group crouches down next to the dead mage and points to their wrists - covered in long cuts, blood still pouring from them. "Blood magic" he says, turning around to the rest of you. "Keep your guard up, there's more than just demons here that want to kill us." You grip your sword tighter as you slowly continue your way towards the living quarters. [[Continue->templars]]

From one of the branching rooms you can hear children crying and agitated voices. When your group enters, there are several mages anxiously pressed against the far wall, some of them barely 8 years old, comforted by the older ones without much success. The templars guarding them greet you: "It's a bloody nightmare up here. Some of them thought it would be a great idea to start an uprising" he gestures to the mages behind him. "Well, not them specifically, we killed most of the ones on this level. Some escaped upstairs, though. Cursed bloodmagic... They got Adam, too. First he only started talking funny, then he tried to stick his sword between my ribs. Had to knock him out." You glance at the scratches on his armor and then to the tied up templar in the corner, seemingly unconscious. You look around your group - could some of them get corrupted and turn against you? The thought sends a shiver down your spine. [[Continue->abomination]]

When they are finally defeated, your group is visibly bruised. Your thoughts keep coming back to the panic in the mage's eyes and the moment her body transformed, any trace of humanity wiped away - "Keep heading up, we have to get this mess under control" one of the templars says, wiping a mixture of sweat and blood from their brows and calling you back to reality. From the next room you can already make out muffled screams and gurgling noises. It takes a few moments before you can convince yourself to move on. [[Continue->Way up6]]

The chaos and destruction gets worse the higher you get. You watch in horror as the first of your group falls, a demon tearing into her neck. There is no time to process, though. No time to mourn. After a while you lose count of the number of bodies and horrible things you witness. When you reach the last level of the tower, there are only four of you left, all panting, faces distorted with pain from several wounds. You have no idea how you are still alive but you thank the Maker for it. [[Continue->door]]

When your group continues to the next floor of the tower, you only encounter a few lesser demons at first. The fights end as quickly as they start, making it unnecessairy for you to even step in. Then you encounter the first of the blood mages - standing in the middle of one of the studies she is staring at all of you as you enter, grinning while blood is dripping from the sleeves of her robe. Before she can cast the first spell, one of the templars slams his shield in the ground, canceling the magic. The mage's grin vanishes, her expression now panicked like a cornered animal. There are too many of you and she knows it. With one last desperate look, she raises her hands, screaming in agony as her features distort into the grotesque form of an abomination. Before anyone can attack the creature, two rage demons start crawling from the ground next to it, their heat palpable even through your armour. [[Continue->bruised]]

There is only one door left before you reach the Harrowing Chamber and you can feel that you are getting closer to the source of all of this. The hair on your arms and neck is raised by the magic brimming in the air. With one last effort the group pushes forward. [[Continue->At the top]]

Then you hear something else - an unfamiliar woman, quietly whispering into your ear, words sweet as honey. "Hello, my sweet thing - aren't you precious? Trying to be all tough and mighty, fullfilling your holy duty to protect this tower." You whirl your head around, trying to make something out in the darkness - but there is nothing. Then you feel a soft touch on your temple, an invisible finger running along the side of your face, down your neck... "I bet there are all sorts of things going on in there under all this holy nonsense..." the voice continues, even closer to your ear this time. Let me see what you *really* want, Cullen. *Let me see*..." [[Continue->Illusion friendly]]

Right as she is about to kiss you, her expression changes, turning cold. "You really think I could love you, Cullen? A *mage* and a templar?" she laughs without a hint of joy, stepping away to glare at you dismissively. Her body flickers for a second and for that moment it looks like there are horns protruding from her head - a desire demon! That's why she is able to sift through your head, mimicking every little detail... A devious smile curles around her mouth and the horns disappear. "I would have helped them, you know?" the demon continues, using (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana]'s appearance and her voice. "Every mage knows at least a *little* bit of blood magic. And there are so many lovely things you can do with demons. You can make people do things they would never dream of. Unleash their *real* power. That's what every mage secretly yearns for. You silly boy thought we had to be *protected*! By *you*, of all people! Now you see what we are really capable of. What *I* am capable of." You stare at her, unable to move, unable to look away. The images from the tower start flashing before your eyes - all this death... [[Continue->demon2]]

"Yes, my love - they are all dead." (if: $race is 0) [Amell] (if: $race is 1) [Surana] says. "Just like I am." with those words, her neck suddenly snaps with a sickening crunch, her head hanging to one side over her shoulder, her eyes still fixed on you. "You know there is no chance that I survived that battle, stop lying to yourself and look at what happened to me!" You try to scream but every sound is swallowed by the darkness and you can still see her, no matter how hard you try to look away. Maker, please help me... you pray silently, unable to speak. "Oh Cullen, my sweet Cullen" she purrs, her voice changing into that of the demon. "If only you weren't so damn *stubborn*. I am trying to make it easier for you, you know? They are all dead and you are making this harder than it should be!" her image shifts again, turning her skin a light purple. "Just give in to what you *really* want, I am offering it. There won't be any help or forgiveness from this *Maker* you try to summon." Then she pauses for a moment, smiling knowingly. "But I will leave you to your thoughts for a bit - look at what happened to the others, come on, look at it! There is no way out of this. You will see soon enough." [[Continue->Pause]]